Inland Rail Trail

The Inland Rail Trail is a Class I bikeway that runs through the cities of Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, and a portion of the unincorporated County of San Diego. Class I bikeways are built into roads and separated from vehicle traffic. They are to be used exclusively by people who are walking, riding, or rolling. The Inland Rail Trail is an important element of the San Diego Regional Bike Plan which makes active transportation safer, easier, and more accessible throughout the region. 

In June 2024, construction began on Phase 3 of the Inland Rail Trail. Like the entire Inland Rail Trail, this one-mile stretch along Mar Vista Drive to Civic Center Drive is a multi-use path for riding, walking, and rolling that is completely separated from traffic. Find more information about completed and future phases below.

The project's current budget is $34.2 million. Phases 1 and 2 were funded by various sources including Bicycle Transportation Account grants, TransNet, the Transportation Enhancement Act, and the State Transportation Improvement Program. Phases 3 and 4 are funded by various sources including TransNet and grants from the California Transportation Commission's Active Transportation Program (ATP).

Inland Rail Trail Projects

Previous Work

In 2009, we constructed the easternmost portion of the bikeway in the cities of Escondido and San Marcos. This segment extends seven miles between the Escondido SPRINTER Rail Station and the intersection of West Mission Road and North Pacific Street in the City of San Marcos.

Pacific Street to Cherimoya Drive

In cooperation with the City of San Marcos, SANDAG completed a one-mile segment of the Inland Rail Trail between North Pacific Street and Cherimoya Drive in 2017. This section of the bike path is located on the north side of the North County Transit District (NCTD) rail tracks.

Phase 2 was divided into south and north segments. We completed this phase and opened to the public in January 2021.

South Segment: Cherimoya Drive to Mar Vista Drive

This 2.5-mile section of the Inland Rail Trail in the City of Vista and the unincorporated County of San Diego is located on the north side of the NCTD rail tracks between Cherimoya Drive and York Drive, and on the south side of the NCTD rail tracks between Woodland Drive and Mar Vista Drive.

North Segment: North Drive to North Melrose Drive

The north segment extends 0.5 miles between North Drive in the City of Vista and the intersection of North Melrose Drive and West Bobier Drive in the City of Oceanside. This segment of the bike path is located on the north side of the NCTD rail tracks.

With the completion of this phase, people who walk, ride, or roll in the San Diego region now enjoy a 10.5-mile continuous and separated, multi-use path between the Escondido Transit Center and Mar Vista Drive in the City of Vista.

Construction is underway on Phase 3 of the Inland Rail Trail. Like the entire Inland Rail Trail, this one-mile stretch along Mar Vista Drive to Civic Center Drive is a multi-use path for riding, walking, and rolling that is completely separated from traffic.

Inland Rail Trail Bikeway Phase 3 Construction map showing one mile of construction from Mar Vista Drive in the south, to Civic Center Drive in the north, ending right at the Civic Center Vista SPRINTER Station. The SPRINTER line continues up the north and south side of the 1 mile construction area.

Civic Center Drive to North Drive

Civic Center Drive and North Drive are two of the busiest streets in Vista. As part of the 21-mile Inland Rail Trail project, this two-mile segment will transform to accommodate a safe path for those who walk, ride, and roll.

Construction of this segment is anticipated to begin in summer 2024.

Meet Our Partners

North County Transit District

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